Capsicum or pepper is a genus or flowering plants in the nightshade family, native to America- since thousands of years being cultivated in tropical America- is now cultivated in many other countries. Used as spices, vegetables and medicines. It is considered to be circulatory-stimulant. With suitable stuffing with filling it with cheese-meat- flour, it is also very popular for salad, Chinese-food, fast-foods (Pizzas in Many varieties), Italian cuisines.

Multinational food chains, food companies and globalisation have a very positive influence. Marts have gone smart with separate counters for vegetables and fruits. Globalisation has opened up bright avenues for protected cultivation, however, demands capital investment to the tunes of around Rs. 25 lakhs for 4000 Sq.Mts. But farmer gets good returns on their investment, and protected cultivation has become a reality for Gujarat’s farmers. They also get subsidy from Horticulture Department for purchasing Green-Net.

Rajesh Patel of Khambholaj has developed a poly-house and green-house, cultivation of summer capsicum is only possible if necessary environment, temperatures are maintained. According to an estimate, production is doubled, quality is assured. He has laid drip-irrigation systems, overhead foggers installed to maintain optimum temperatures around 30 degrees. Temperature is presently controlled manually, but he is mooting for automation, an electronic device is fitted in the corner, announcing the weather conditions inside the poly-house. As per requirements, he runs foggers, sprinkles water on 17000 capsicum plants, maintaining humidity and temperature. Ultimate aim is to protect the king (Capsicum) against the heat wave. Marketing is not a problem; he has orders from Vadodara and Anand merchants. He has also received subsidy of Rs.13 lakh under National Horticulture mission by Deputy Director Horticulture -Anand. Due to popularity of Pizza and fast-food, it is in great demand. He is confident of recovering his invested amount in 3 years. Shri Jethabhai Thakkar has come to visit Green-Net farm. He is in process of erecting Green-House in 12 acres at Bhuj. He owns Ashapuri Agro-farm, presently 800 acres are under cultivation of mango, and dry-fruits.

Shri Rakesh Patel is associated with the Horticulture mission; he has visited workshops, meetings and training, participating educational tours. He has developed a green-house at Sarsa, in 3000 sq, mts. Received subsidy of Rs. 6.45 lakhs under National Horticulture Mission.

In Himatnagar, a farmer has erected Green-House in around 80 acres, investing crores of rupees. Dr. Hemant of Anand Agriculture University revealed that in European Countries, they have Glass-Houses, to protect vegetable crops from snowfalls. They need heaters to maintain optimum temperatures required by a particular crop. Farmers invest to protect crop against heat.

Every innovation has offered a new solution. Krushi Mahotsav has backed up farmers with research and technology-transfer. Maximise production-maximise farmers profit remains the motto. Thanks to the vision of Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi that Krushi Mahotsav has supported range of measures to promote innovations. It really has paid dividends, that agriculture growth rate has coincided the high economic growth rates in Gujarat. The Krushi Mahotsav begins from 16th of May, 2010.